Historical Information
Captain Cates and Machiasport

Built in the 1850's, the home was purchased by Captain J. Willard Cates in 1875. At that time he expanded the original house to accommodate his growing family.

Captain Cates was a local man who sailed his own vessels throughout the world. He was also a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Machiasport, Maine.

We like to think that J.W. (as we call the Captain) and his wife, Olevia, would be happy with the renovations we have recently completed. Our two largest bedrooms are named for them, with the balance of the rooms named for local traditions and events.

Machiasport, once a bustling port and center of commerce, is a sleepy little village on the coast of Maine with a year-round population of about 1,700 residents. Machiasport's history, however, is anything but sleepy.

Machiasport is the site of the first significant sea battle of the Revolutionary War. In that battle, the tiny sloop Unity captured the British armed schooner Margaretta with minimal effort. Our Historical Society, the Gates House, located about 500 yards away, or the Burnham Tavern Museum, where the plot was hatched, can supply all the details.

Machiasport is approximately an hour's drive from Ellsworth, the Canadian border, Campobello Island (FDR's vacation home), Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.